Brasília – The minister of Agriculture of Brazil, Reinhold Stephanes, said yesterday (6) that the 2009/2010 grain crop may be up to 9% greater than the one that has just been picked. According to a study disclosed by the National Food Supply Company (Conab), the 2008/2009 crop should be 134.49 million tonnes. Stephanes said that productivity should rise 3%, but there should also be expansion in the area and, if the climate remains stable, losses should be lower than those verified in the cycle that is ending.
"There should be 7% to 9% growth in production and, then, losses due to climate matters should be compensated," he said. According to the minister, the first plantation intention research should be disclosed in early October, but with the pointers the government already has – for acquisition of seeds and fertilizers and investor decisions – it may be stated that there should be a slight increase in the cultivated area.
The clearest differences in the crop that is ending and the one that is beginning is the greater area for cultivation and the less space for maize crops. According to the minister, despite the high stocks and the record maize production this year, which caused the price of the grain to suffer a great reduction, the situation is worrying.
"It is concerning because maize is a fundamental raw material for industry, mainly in the case of chicken and pork," evaluated Stephanes. This year, the government has made several auctions to aid in the movement of the maize produced, especially in the Midwest. Next week, there should be another auction that may benefit producers from Mato Grosso, Paraná and also Bahia.
*Translated by Mark Ament
